Purified cranberry proanthocyanidines (PAC-1A) cause pro-apoptotic signaling, ROS generation, cyclophosphamide retention and cytotoxicity in high-risk neuroblastoma cells

Int J Oncol. 2012 Jan;40(1):99-108. doi: 10.3892/ijo.2011.1225. Epub 2011 Oct 6.

Abstract

Optimized purification of oligomeric proanthocyanidines (PAC) from cranberry generated PAC-1A which selectively affected the viability of various neuroblastoma (NB) cell lines representing a spectrum of high-risk NB features. PAC-1A caused a loss of mitochondrial transmembrane depolarization potential (∆Ψm) and increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which was directly correlated to the modulation of apoptotic marker proteins in SMS-KCNR cells. PAC-1A reduced the expression of pro-survival (Bcl-2, MCL-1, Bcl-xL) and increased levels of pro-apoptotic (Bax, Bad, Bid) Bcl family proteins, upregulated the activity of SAPK/JNK MAPK and downregulated expression or activity of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway components. PAC-1A increased the cellular uptake/retention of cyclophosphamide (CP). PAC-1A and CP synergistically increased cytotoxicity and expression of pro-apoptotic markers, reduced cellular glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Additional features of PAC-1A as an anticancer drug as shown in SMS-KCNR NB cells include delay of cell cycle progression and induction of cell death via TNF-family death receptor activity, thus, targeting both the extrinsic and intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. PAC-1A partially blocked the cell cycle in G2/M phase which correlated with a decrease of the G0/G1 subpopulation, upregulation of cyclin D1 and downregulation of CDK6 and p27 expression. In summary, PAC-1A has demonstrated chemotherapeutic potential to treat a broad spectrum of NBs including highly malignant tumors that show resistance to standard chemotherapeutics and apoptotic stimuli.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Caspases / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cyclophosphamide / pharmacokinetics*
  • Drug Synergism
  • Fruit / chemistry
  • Gene Silencing / drug effects
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / genetics
  • Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / drug effects
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Neuroblastoma / drug therapy*
  • Neuroblastoma / genetics
  • Neuroblastoma / metabolism*
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Proanthocyanidins / isolation & purification
  • Proanthocyanidins / pharmacology*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / genetics
  • Superoxide Dismutase / biosynthesis
  • Superoxide Dismutase / genetics
  • Vaccinium macrocarpon / chemistry*

Substances

  • Plant Extracts
  • Proanthocyanidins
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4
  • Caspases
  • Glutathione